What is a potential outcome of using an inappropriate cuff size?

• A. Inaccurate readings
• B. No effect on accuracy
• C. Faster readings but same accuracy
• D. Better comfort for the patient

Answer: (A)

Using the wrong cuff size changes how the cuff compresses the arm and how the artery is occluded, so the reading won’t reflect the true arterial pressure. If the cuff is too small, it tends to overestimate blood pressure; if it’s too large, it can underestimate it. Either way, the result is an inaccurate BP measurement, which is the issue the question highlights. The size also affects comfort and may alter the ease of measurement, but the critical outcome is the inaccuracy of the reading.